News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

Pages

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

More on Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn is German-born (Frankfurt-am-Main), twice divorced, and 46 years old. She is the daughter of Danish-born Finn Bonning Larsen, European Director of Varig Airlines, and his wife, Ingrid. According to recent reports, she has been romantically linked with King Juan Carlos I of Spain since 2006. She is not the first of the King's many mistresses as he has been linked with numerous women since before his marriage to Princess Sophie of Greece. One of his alleged conquests was Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen, whom he allegedly passed on to the Aga Khan.

Corinna has a rich social life. She is fond of sailing and hunting, "two passions she shares" with King Juan Carlos. She spends a lot of time in Spain each year, and lives at El Pardo, near the Royal Palace.

It appears she may even used the King's name for her own benefit. In 2007, she met with Prince Alwaleed, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was received as the "representative of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain." At the time, an official spokesman for the King said that Juan Carlos "is not aware that Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn has represented His Majesty at any time."

There are two stories concerning how the King first met Corinna. One story has them meeting in 2006, when the King made a private visit to Ditzingen, a town in southern Germany. Portuguese publications assert that the meeting took place a year earlier, when Corinna took part in the Spanish Challenge, a sailing competition. In 2007, they met again in Valencia at another sailing competition.

By 2010, Corinna moved into a house near Zarzuela Palace. The former editor of ABC, the Spanish newspaper wrote an editorial about "the notorious failure" of the King's marriage to Doña Sofia," and the "close and intimate acquaintance of Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn was no longer a rumor."

Corinna has been married and divorced twice. Her first husband, Philip Atkins, is the father of her daughter, Natassi, born in 1992. She was married in 2000 to Prince Casimir of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn. They were wed in a civil ceremony in London. A religious wedding in Salzburg, Austria, a year later, after Corinna's first marriage had been annulled. They divorced five years later. They have a son, Prince Alexander.

Before meeting the King, Corinna had a long term affair with Muck Flick, heir to the Mercedes fortune.

It has been largely taboo for the Spanish media to discuss the king's health or his private life, or dared to discuss the lack of intimacy at Zarzuela. Until now.

The hunt has begun. It is now open season in Spain, especially. Corinna will never win the hearts of the Spanish people.

Well, that's a private matter. The King is essential for the Spanish unity and he proved the efficiency of the Monarchy. The Queen is a fantastic Lady, we cannot find many who can be compared. But... who cares about that Corinne something zu-nothing?

Spain is in turmoil on many fronts. The King's affections and attention need to be on his family and country or he will lose his position as a unifying figure. The Spanish people will definitely move behind the Queen. I suggest that the King consider the mood of the country. It can be a domino effect on a grand scale.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

BOOK OF THE DAY

Twitter

Royal Musings - Royal Book News Facebook group

Do you like discussing the royals or new ... or old books? Have a question you want answered? The Royal Musings - Royal Book News Facebook page is back again. It is a closed group so you will need to apply. No gossip allowed ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/321823117954486/

The Blog's email address

You can contact me at royalmusings at cox dot net. If you have ideas for little articles, let me know ... I just might do an entry! Or just drop me a note to let me know what you think of this blog.

Thanks for reading -- and enjoy Royal Musings!

Help out by Shopping at Amazon

Readers can shop for books and other items through Amazon by using my portal. I earn a few pennies for every item that is purchased here. You can access Amazon through the book links, my store or the Amazon search boxes.

You will be amazed by what you can order through Amazon. You can use the Amazon search box, the stores or the links to purchase items - and every purchase counts! This includes third party items such as book dealers who sell on Amazon.

Subscribe To

Shop at Amazon.co.uk

Copyright notice

All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without the prior approval of Marlene A. Koenig. You can, however, provide a link to the blog or to a post on the blog. Please credit Marlene A Koenig and Royal Musings. Thanks

Sources

The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.